<p>I know the UCs don’t require recs, but can you still send them recs anyway? Even if you were allowed to send in recs, I would think there would be no point to sending them?</p>
<p>I remember an adcom visiting my high school explicitly saying "if you send them, we throw them away". They're only "needed" if you want to appeal, in which case teacher recommendations+reason for appeal will help you.</p>
<p>The letters might be needed for UC scholarships as well. Some UC Scholarships might want letters of Recommendation and will notify you how to submit them if needed. They still will not be used for the admissions process.</p>